COVID-19: Restaurant Reopening Considerations

Many states are beginning to modify stay-at-home orders to allow restaurants to resume dine-in operations. However, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants will need to modify their dine-in operations to protect the health of patrons and employees. While necessary modifications will vary depending on requirements imposed by state and/or local law, as well as the nature of the restaurant's operations (e.g., table service v. quick service), this Legal Update highlights key considerations for all restaurants. Of note, this Legal Update does not discuss the impact of compliance on the sales and operation of the restaurants-although early feedback from those who have re-opened suggests not all concepts will be able to operate at a financially sustainable level under the new guidelines.